Drafting instrument



Nov. 6, 1962 y I J. R. HAGEMAN 3,06

DRAFTING INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 7, 1961 INVENTOR. 4/4/1455 2 HAGfMA/V 3,061,933 DRAFTING INSTRUMENT James R. Hageman, Rte. 1, Box 178A, Eau Clwe, Mich. Filed Dec. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 157,763 2 Claims. (Cl. 33-104) This invention pertains to a drafting instrument and more particularly to an improved handle for such an instrument.

The drafting instruments used by draftsmen and engineers are usually thin and flat and are intended to be placed on a work surface such as a drawing board to aid in drawing lines. On occasion, it is necessary for the draftsman to pick up the instrument and place it on the work surface on the side opposite that on which it was formerly placed. Because the instruments are thin, it often becomes difi'icult to grasp an instrument lying flat on a Work surface so that it can be turned over, and usually the draftsman must slide the instrument so that it projects over the edge of the work surface in order to grasp it and turn it over.

One feature, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handle for a drafting instrument, one which always projects upwardly from the upper side of the instrument even though the instrument may be reversibly placed on either side on a work surface.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a drafting instrument including the improved handle of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view of the instrument, taken substantially on line 22 of FIGURE 1.

The drafting instrument, represented by numeral 10, is shown as a triangle, but may be any of the commonly used instruments such as a triangle, curve or square. The handle 12 provides a convenient means of grasping the instrument to position it during use, and yet is adapted to permit the instrument to be turned over on its opposite side when required. When the instrument is reversed and replaced on the work surface, the handle quickly pivots through the instrument and extends on the opposite side.

A long slot 14 is cut or milled in the instrument 10, and beveled edges 15 and 16 are provided at the ends of slot 14. The sides 17 of slot 14 of course are straight and perpendicular to the sides 18 and 19 of the instrument 10.

Handle 12 is preferably fabricated of the same material as the instrument, and is generally of triangular shape. At the narrow end 20 of the handle 12 a generally V- shaped notch 22 is provided for pivotal engagement with beveled edge 16. At the other wider end 24 of the handle, a pair of projections 25 and 26 are provided at each Patented Nov. 6, 1962 end of the curved portion 28. The radius of curved portion 28 is such as to permit curved portion 28 to remain substantially closely adjacent beveled edge 15 as the handle pivots through the instrument. Projections 25 and 26 may be tapered slightly as shown at 30 to permit easier initial insertion of handle 12 into the instrument.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the position of the handle when side 19 of the instrument is placed on a work surface. Should the position of the instrument be reversed, that is, side 18 placed on the work surface, it will be seen that handle 12 pivots through the instrument with projection 26 stopping against beveled edge 15. This permits the handle to be aligned with side 18 and to new project upwardly on side 19.

Thus, I have provided a new and improved drafting instrument comprising a handle projecting upwardly therefrom to permit positioning the instrument as desired, and which is so arranged as to always project upwardly regardless of which side of the instrument is placed on a work surface.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a flat drafting instrument having sides adapted to be reversibly placed on a work surface and having an elongated slot therein, a flat handle pivotal within said instrument so as to always project away from said work surface, said handle including a narrow end engaging one end of said slot and a wider end adjacent the other end of the slot, said wider end including a pair of spaced projections to limit the pivoting of said handle in said instrument.

2. In a flat drafting instrument adapted to be reversibly placed on a work surface and having an elongated slot therein, said instrument including a beveled edge at each end of said slot, a handle associated with said instrument and arranged to always project away from said work surface, said handle including a narrow first end and a wider second end, said first end having a V-shaped notch engaging one of said slot end beveled edges to form a pivot point, said second end always being adjacent the other slot end beveled edge as said handle is pivoted, and said handle further including a pair of projections at said second end to retain said handle within said instrument as the handle is pivoted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

